GaPPS Centre Concludes Transformative Gender and Development Course (1) at NIPSS
The Gender and Public Policy Studies (GaPPS) Centre at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, has successfully concluded its Gender and Development (GAD) Course 1, marking another milestone in the Institute’s commitment to promoting gender-responsive governance and inclusive policy implementation in Nigeria.
The intensive training brought together a distinguished cohort of participants comprising senior civil service executives and political appointees, including Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, and Directors from Zamfara, Ondo, Plateau, Kaduna, Adamawa, Taraba States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Also represented were strategic national institutions such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), among others.
Over the course of the training, participants engaged in robust discussions and practical sessions on critical themes including gender mainstreaming, policy formulation, leadership, and inclusive governance. The sessions provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and experience sharing on how gender perspectives can strengthen governance and accelerate national development. The five-day programme featured eminent scholars and experts of thought in the subject area drawn from the academia, civil society organizations, and NIPSS faculty. Together, they delivered a rich blend of theory, practice, and policy insights that resonated strongly with the participants’ diverse professional backgrounds.
The Director of GaPPS Prof. Irene Ogunloye who was obviously excited at the success of the programme in her remarks, commended the participants for their commitment and active engagement, noting that the course outcomes would translate into more gender-sensitive policies and institutional practices across Nigeria’s governance architecture.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Director General of the Institute, Professor Ayo Omotayo congratulated the participants for a successful and rewarding learning experience. In his remarks, he emphasized the Institute’s commitment to ensuring quality knowledge acquisition. To that end, he randomly posed questions to some participants for an on-the-spot assessment. Their impressive and accurate responses demonstrated that learning had taken place. The DG expressed his satisfaction with their performance and noted that the course was ready to be formally concluded.
He further charged them with the responsibility of being change Agents who will move for a gender responsive government system urging them to be limitless Gender advocates who will not only sit at the table but also takeaway something from the table.
He thereafter presented certificates of attendance to the graduands, commending them for their commitment and active participation throughout the programme and formally declared the ceremony closed.
In all, the GAD Course reinforced GaPPS’ mandate to strengthen institutional capacities for gender analysis and policy implementation. The success of this training underscores NIPSS’s continued leadership in advancing gender equality and inclusive development in national policy discourse.
